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Much remains to be done

Published: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 6:29 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at 6:29 p.m.

While we are very disappointed in a veto session not taking place, we are encouraged by the 55 percent of legislators (when combining both Senate and House members) who were committed to taking steps to override the governor’s vetoes.

There is still much to be done to educate our elected officials statewide on the inequity and injustices imposed through policy and archaic mental models of disability. Our efforts were not in vain. The conversation concerning disability services, especially cost effective home- and community-based services, are now on the forefront of policymakers’ minds. Receiving overwhelming bipartisan support has encouraged us to continue our efforts.

Members and supporters OTVLA (Override the Veto Louisiana) have now shifted gears and are actively taking steps to organize efforts statewide into an alliance that will seek to monitor, influence, protect and enhance the tenants of ACT 378, which legislates the system of supports and services for Louisiana’s citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. We will emerge with a different name, a mission and a plan of action to ensure our families are as much of a priority in Louisiana as bricks, mortar, roads and vouchers.

We look forward to working closely with our legislators and the governor in the coming months to find alternative and sustainable ways of funding disability services in our great state. One thing is certain that our movement for equality, justice, and priority is far from over. We are not done.

<p>While we are very disappointed in a veto session not taking place, we are encouraged by the 55 percent of legislators (when combining both Senate and House members) who were committed to taking steps to override the governor's vetoes.</p><p>There is still much to be done to educate our elected officials statewide on the inequity and injustices imposed through policy and archaic mental models of disability. Our efforts were not in vain. The conversation concerning disability services, especially cost effective home- and community-based services, are now on the forefront of policymakers' minds. Receiving overwhelming bipartisan support has encouraged us to continue our efforts.</p><p>Members and supporters OTVLA (Override the Veto Louisiana) have now shifted gears and are actively taking steps to organize efforts statewide into an alliance that will seek to monitor, influence, protect and enhance the tenants of ACT 378, which legislates the system of supports and services for Louisiana's citizens with developmental disabilities and their families. We will emerge with a different name, a mission and a plan of action to ensure our families are as much of a priority in Louisiana as bricks, mortar, roads and vouchers.</p><p>We look forward to working closely with our legislators and the governor in the coming months to find alternative and sustainable ways of funding disability services in our great state. One thing is certain that our movement for equality, justice, and priority is far from over. We are not done.</p><p>Stephanie Guidry</p><p>Override the Veto Louisiana</p>